Method and apparatus for pressurizing driers



Aug. 4, 195 9 E. JONES El AL METHOD AND'APPARATUS FOR PRESSURIZING DRIERS Filed Jan. 14, 1958 INVENTORS.

SKQLQS The present invention is directed to a new and improved method for use in gas pressurization of an article, such as a refrigerant drier, and a preferred embodiment of apparatus for carryingout this method, the apparatus constituting an important part of the present invention.

As fully disclosed in U .S. Patent 2,283,989, the provision of internally trapped pressurized gas, such as air in a refrigerant dehydrator or drier has particular utility as a means of identifyingthe condition of thedrier immediately .prior -to installational use of the same.' In following standard .inanufacturing procedures, the com- ;pletely assembled drier is sealed at the ends .thereof to prevent loss of efiiciency of the desiccant contained therein by moisture absorption during storage and ship .men't. Prior to complete closing of the drier as fully disclosed in-the-aforement-ioned patent,.a charge of gas is introduced into the drier under pressure immediately followed by .closing .or sealing .of the drier to trap the pressurized vgas therein. When the drier is opened for installation in arefrigeration 'system, thetr'a'pped gas escapes therefrom providing a readily identifiable means of indicating the condition of 'thedrier. Generally, the gas is under suflicient pressure to supply an audible sound, such asa fhissf which immediately conveys to the installer ,the fact that the desiccant is in good condition forieflicient dehydrating functioning. If there are any leaksin the drieras manufactured or as developed 'as a result of storage andshipping handling, the pressurized charge contained therein will be dissipated and the absencerof its audible escape from the drieiupon installation of the same conveys to the installer the fact that the drier maynot functionlp'roperl'y in 'the system. While this particular function of the pressure charge is of primary importance, other functions, as specified in the aforementioned patent, can be attributed to the useof such a charge, but in this respect therpresent invention is concerned solely-with, a method and apparatus ofproviding an article such as a drier with the pressure charge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method oftpressuri'zing an article, such as a refrigerant drier, in an efficient and inexpensive manner whereby the drier is provided with 'a means for indicating the condition .of the same prior to immediateins'tallational use thereof.

Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of supplying to an article, such as a refrigerant drier, an internally trapped pressurized gas charge, the steps of the method including a procedure whereby the charge is efficiently introduced into the drierwhilefthe same is in a partially opened condition, the drier being immediately closed to not only trap the pressure charge therein but further seal the drier and complete assembly of the same in a single step operation.

A further important objectfiof the present invention to provide article pressurization apparatus particularly 'aaapted'ror' ressuriizing a refrigerant'd'rien'the apparatus atent being of uncomplicated and inexpensive'structural arrangement to provide quick and efficient dn'er assembly completion simultaneous with-pressurization of the same. Another object of'the present invention'is to provide newand improved apparatusfor pressurizing refrigerant 'dfiers which include'nipple-carrying'end caps fixed to' a tubular casing in which desiccant is packed, the nipples having threadedly received thereon sealing nuts one of which is initially tightened-to close and seal one end of the'drier andthe other of which is carried byits nipple in a loosened condition for pressurization of the drier,

the loosened nut being provided with a gas :delivery opening which is in communication with the interior of the drier :in the loosened condition of the nut and which is .out of communication with the :interior of .the drier when the nut is tightenedinto sealed relation with the :end of the nipple, the apparatus further including means for fixedly receiving the loosened :nut in filling opening alignment with gas'delive'ry means to supply the interior of the casing with a positive charge of gas, the nut receiving means holding the same against rotation 'and in communication with :the gas delivery means during subsequent tightening of the nut :on its nipple :in sealed relation therewith :to trapthe positive charge within the :drier. I

=Other objects not specifically set :forth will become apparent *in' the following detailed-description of the invention made in conjunction withthe drawings wherein:

Fig. 1-is a side elevation of the apparatus in its mount- 'edgpositiojn :on a gas delivery line;

lustrating use of the same in conjunction with a'nend seal cap of a refrigerant drier during pressurization of the drier; and

:Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar'to Fig. 4'illustrating completion of the gas pressurization operation and end cap sealing of a refrigerant drier.

In Figs. 1-3 an article pressurizing unit, generally designated by the numeral 10, is illustrated as mounted toa gas supply means including a verticallydirected pipe or line 11 having threadedly received at thetop thereof -'a control valve assembly 12. The top portion of the valve assembly '12 has threadedly received therein a nipple 13 to which is attached a flare nut 14 engaging therewith in sealed relation a gas line 15 forjattachment to the unit 10.

The control valve 12 is provided with an operating stem 16 (see Fig. 2) which is spring urged outwardly of the valve housing into valve closing position. The

structural features of the valve unit 12. do not constitute a part of the present invention and it willbe understood that .any suitable valving means capable of controlling the delivery of gas from the line 11.may be used as long asthe valve includes a type of controlmeans similar to that to be described. The top portion of the valve housing is provided with a radially outwardlydirected lever mounting ear 17 which has pivotally attached thereto the upper end of a valve operating lever 18 by means of a fastener 19. The lever 18 is arranged to rest against the outermost end of the reciprocal valve stem 16 to depress the same in a manner to be described to open the valve 12 and allow gas to flow from line 11 into line 15.

Thelunit 10 includes a block-like housing20 supported by a mounting plate 2.1 which is provided with a radially directed ear portion 22 received about the pipe 11 and fixed thereto by a set screw 23. The block 20 is attached to the plate 21 by a plurality of fasteners-24 which are removable for block replacement purposes for use with different size end sealing nuts carried by articles to be pressurized in the manner to be described.

Opposite sides 25 and 26 have elements associated therewith which are of particular importance in the operation of the unit .10. The upper marginal portion of the side 25 has integrally formed therewith an outwardly projecting rib-like portion 27 through the top surface of which extends the remaining end of the gas delivery line 15 in communication with a downwardly directed drilled passageway 28 as particularly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Theopening 28 is in communication with a transverse slot 29 formed in the rib 27 and which has received therein a resilient cushion 30 of rubber or rubber-like material.

. Centrally of the rib 27 and below the slot 29 is an hexagonally shaped recess 31, the upper portion of which is open and communicates with the slot 29 and the lower portion of which is open and in communication with the bottom surface 32 of the rib 27. The recess 31 is, in effect, a two sided slot each side of which is substantially V-shaped to conform with the outer configuration of a hex nut either of the cap or flare variety. The drilled opening 28 communicating with the line -15 further communicates with an opening 33 in the cushion 30 as particularly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. With this arrangement, gas from the line 15 is delivered through the cushion 30 into the top of the recess 31.

The rear wall of the recess 31, as particularly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is formed by a movable insert 34 which is received in a drilled passageway 35 extending through the housing 20. The position of the insert 34 is fixed by a set screw 36 (Fig. 3) extending downwardly from the top surface of the housing 20 and the location of the insert 34 will depend upon the extent to which the sealing nut of the article to be pressurized is received within the recess 31.

The block 20 carries a transverse shaft 37 suitably journalled therethrough for pivotal rotational movement with the ends ofthe shaft extending outwardly beyond each of the side surfaces 25 and 26. The end of the shaft associated with the side surface 26 fixedly carries a lever operating cam 38 which, as particularly shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a curved camming surface 39 for engagement with the outer surface of the valve lever 18 to move the same in a direction toward the pipe 11 as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2. A portion of the cam 38 has attached thereto an operating lever 40 which when moved downwardly into the position illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2 brings the camming surface 39 into engagement with the lever 18 and moves the same toward the pipe 11. Pivotal movement of the lever 18 about its fastener 19 compresses the stem 16 and opens the valve 12 to permit gas delivery under pressure into the line 15 and from there into the recess 31 through the opening 28 in the rib 27 and the opening 33 in the cushion 30.

Movement of the lever 40 as described results in rotation of the shaft 37 and simultaneous rotation of a sealing nut clamping cam 41 which, as particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is carried on the opposite end of the shaft 37 in association with the side surface 25. The cam 41 is provided with a camming surface 42 which moves into sealing nut engagement, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in association with the bottom opening of the recess 31 to close the same. With downward movement of the lever 40 the earns 38 and 41 are simultaneously moved into operative positions resulting in gas delivery into the recess 31 accompanied by sealing nut clamping relative to the gas delivery openings 28 and 33.

Figs. 4 and better illustrate the filling and sealing operations. A conventional form of refrigerant drier, generally designated by the numeral 43, is partially illustrated as including a sleeve-like casing 44 in which is received the dehydrating material, such as silica gel, the casing at each end thereof being provided with a fixedly attached end cap 45 which has formed therewith an outwardly projecting attaching nipple 46 having an outer end threaded portion 47 provided with a frusto-conical sealing seat 48. The sealing nipples 46 at each end of the drier 43 have received thereon hex cap nuts 49 of known structure which are provided with cooperating inner seal-- ing seats 50 for tight sealing engagement with the seats 48 upon closing of the nuts 49 by threadedly advancing the same toward the end caps 45. The side skirt portion of at least one of the nuts 49, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is further provided with a radially drilled opening 51 which is in communication with the interior of the nut when the same is loosened, as shown in- Fig. 4. In this manner pressurized gas is delivered into the interior of the nut 49,

through the nipple 46 and into the casing 44 of the drier 43.

The particular structural arrangement illustrated is fully disclosed in US. Patent 2,283,989 and it should be understood that while the use .of a cap nut is illustrated, any suitable closuremeans capable of providing the desired function to be described'can be efliciently used to allow pressurization of an article and subsequent closing ofthe article to trap the pressurized gas therein. In this respect, the commonly known type of seal bonnets held for sealing engagement by a flare nut .can readily be utilized. If the particular closure means used is of such a structure as to require being received further into the recess 31, the

positionable insert 34 may be suitably located by the use of the set screw 36 in any desired position to regulate the depth of the recess 31. The exact positioning of the insert 34 will control automatic alignment of the gas dclivery opening 51 of the sealing nut with the opening 33 in the cushion 30.

As fully disclosed in the aforementioned patent, the endstructures of a refrigerant drier are identical and the opposite end sealing nut, which is not illustrated, is advanced into tight sealing engagement with its nipple to complete and seal this end of the drier against the escape of gas therefrom. The remaining .end of the drier, as illustrated in Fig. 4, has the nut 49 loosely received on the nipple 46 to allow delivery of the gas into the interior of the casing 44. The nut 49 and associated end portion of the nipple 46 is received in the recess 31 with the openings 33 and 51 in gas delivery alignment. The lever 44 is moved downwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to rotate the shaft 37 and bring the cam 38 into lever depressing. operation. Simultaneously, the cam 41 moves into locking engagement with the bottom surface of the nut 49 to slightly press the same upwardly into compression with the cushion 30 to completely seal the area immediately surrounding the aligned openings 33 and 51 against gas leakage during delivery of the same into the drier. The camming face 42 of the cam 41 provides a slight lifting action to compress the cushion and establish and maintain adequate sealing action to prevent gas leakage during drier pressurization.

Equalization of gas pressure in the line 11 and the drier casing 44 will occur almost immediately and in order to trap the pressurized gas in the casing 44, the drier itself is rotated relative to the sealing nut 49 to bring the sealing surfaces 48 and 50 into tight engagement and close off the inner end of the gas delivery opening 51. During sealing nut tightening for gas trapping purposes, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the nut locking cam 41 is retained in operative position to maintain gas delivery alignment and the lever operating cam. 38 continues to depress the lever 18 tosupply gas pressure through the line 15. In this respect, a positive gas pressure is delivered at all times into the opening 51 of the nut 49 to prevent any possible loss of gas from the drier 43 during the tightening of the nut 49. The nut locking cam 41 further functions to hold the nut 49 against rotation during tightening of the same. Upon completion of the nut tightening operation, the lever 40 is moved upwardly into its original position to release the lever 18 resulting in the closing of the valve 12. Simultaneously, the nut locking cam 41 is moved --.eut, of zengagementuwitlr'ftheznnt 149 andzthe clatter is ;re- -r1eased for. immediate .withdrawakfromr the areoess :31.

During extendednserof the. unit 10; itvmay be necessary :from: time. totime toreplaoe the-cushion '30. Thiscushion i: is a freely received in the 2 slot .29; and heldtherein by removable clamps 52 attached; by fasteners 53. :Therecess 311is designed'for use with :only one size of sealing'nut and -:-in normal; production whererdifierent isize :articles. are pressurized withsuch articles being provided Withdiiferent 8 insaidarticle "upon: :rot'atable c1osing of said -'='s ea=li-'ng m'eans, :said apparatus comprising gas 1 delivery means controlled: by :valve rneans, receivingmeans for-=said ::se'aling -:.means incommunication With said -gas -delivery 5 means, releasable -holding m'eans associatedwith said receiving means to fix said: seal-i-ngmeans therein' for article pressurization therethrough and subsequentr'ota- .tional closing of same, resilient' means forming a-p'art of:s aid receiving=means to cushion and-seal said -'se'ali-ng ;:size:.end' sealingnuts, itis necessary to' provide a number! means :relative to said gas delivery' 'means =up'on op'erat'0funits-10eeach;having a different .:size :recess toaccom- --modate;the 'var-ietybf sealing nuts. -The:block: may -b8 :readily detached from :the mounting plate; 21: by ;re- 1 moval of the fasteners24, and disengagement; of .the flare rnut l4rfrom the-nipple 13. In*this respectseveral blocks .20 may'be'provided each=of=-which' has areoess 31 cap z able ofzreceiving a-sealing nutvof-idiiferent'size. 'The apparatus described =is inexperisively constructed: and vmaintained whilewbeing capable;ofw-providing highlyefii- '15 of a refrigerant drier which includes a'-{casing containing desiccant and end caps provided=withthreaded nipples on which sealing nutsare received for pressure tight sealing engagement with-seat formed*on the"endsbf said nipples, said apparatus comprising-'ablock-like scient-functioning for gaspressurizationbf aItiCl6S,?SIiCh- 20' housing detachably mount'ed' on a gas delivery pipe in :--as refrigerant driers.

: bviously many modifications,andvariationssofuthe rinventionwas hereinbefore set forth may bemadeivvithout 1 departing rfrom-thespirit-and scope thereof; and therefore asso'ciation along oneside "thereof with' a control valve mounted in said pipe and controlling gasde'livery'therefrom, the side-of said housing opposite said' one side being provided with a projecting "rib liker-portion' the only such limitations should be; imposed as are:indicated omrf which overhangs Said" pp side,

in; the?" appended claims.

-Weclaim:

1. 'Article pressurizing apparatus for use with an article j'PI'QVldCd with a rotatablyclosable sealing meansthrough Whi'Ch a gas may beintroducedintoithe article: when said sealing :means is atleast partially-open and. trapped in saidlarticle ,upon' rotatable closing of saidsealing means, said apparatus'comprising gas-delivery means controlled wbyyalve means, reccivingameans for said sealing-means 35 r pipe: through a del very line portion leCElVd in the upper .in communication with saidrgas' delivery means, releas- -able holding means associated with said receiving means @to fix said sealing means-therein-for article pressurization --therethrough and subsequent rotational-closing of same, randoperating means-forsaid valve means to control'the zdelivery ofgas into said article through said sealing means. 2.- Article pressurizing apparatus for use with an article provided witha rotatably closable sealing means through awhicht a 'gasmay be introduced into the article when said :sealing means is at-leastpartiallyopen and-trapped in said article upon rotatable closing of said sealing -means, said-apparatus comprising :gas delivery means "controlled by valve means, receiving means. for said sealing means 'in communication-with said gas deliverymeans, releasableholding means associated-with said receiving means -to fix said sealing means therein'for articlerpressurization .therethroughand subsequent rotational closingof same, -and. operating means for said valve means'to control the delivery of gas into said article throughsaid sealing means, 'said holding means and said operating-means being operatively connected for SlHlllltfiIlfiOUSaOPCI'dtiOll.

3. Article pressurizing apparatus for use.with an article ,provided with a rotatablyclosable sea-lingmeans" through which: a gas may be introduced intothe article whenxsaid sealingmeans is at leastpartially'open and trapped in :said article upon rotatable closing of saidseahng means, said apparatus; comprising gas delivery-means controlled vby 'valve' means, receiving: means for said sealingi means in communication with said gas delivery means, :releas able holding means associated with said receiving means to fix said-sealing means therein for article pressurization therethroughwand subsequent rotational closing of same, resilient means forming a part of saidreceiving mean's to cushion and seal'saidsealing'means relative tosaid gas delivery means-upon operationof .said holding'means, and operating means-forsaid valve means to control the delivery of gas into said article through said sealing means.

4. Article pressurizing apparatus for use with an article provided with a rotatably closable sealing means through which a gas may be introduced into the article when said sealing means is at least partially open and trapped a'recess'insaid projecting portion defined by surfaces whichconform to'the configuration of a sealing nut 'to rotationally fix the same upon-receiving a nut therein,

the bottom portion of said recess being-open and coin- '--'-30 ciding 'with theTbottom surface of-said projecting portion,' thei.top portion of said recess' b'eing incommunication with a :resilient cushionprovidedwith an opening 'for alignment -with a corresponding opening in'a sealing 'nutand which further is in "communication with said surface of=said pr'ojectingtportion, and camming rn'eans on each sideof' said housing in operative alignment with said."control-valveuto deliver gas into said' recessand with' the :open'bott0m:portion-=' of said recess to urge-a 40 nut into'resilient seating-rengagementnwith said cushion therefrom, the side .ofzisaid ihousing opposite said one side being provided "with a projecting =rib-like portion the bottom surface of which overhangssaid opposite side,

a recess in saidzprojectingrportion"defined by surfaces =Wl1ih conform: to the configuration of a sealing nut to rotationally-fix the same'uponreceivi ng a' nut therein, 'the bottom: portion of said recess being: open-and coin- .cidingwith the-bottom surface of said projecting portion,

the topportion .Of 1 said :recess 1 being in -'communication with aresilient cushion provided'w'itlran opening-for alignment with aworresponding opening in a sealin'g .nut andwhich further is in-communication-with said pipe through a delivery line portion received in the upper 5 surface of said projectingziportiongand camming' means on each side of said housingfin operative alignment with said control "valve to deliver= gas I to lsaid recess a'nd 'with .the openbottom portion-.of saidrrecess to urge -a nut v into resilient sealing engagement with "said cushion rto provide a seal around the aligned openings thereof for gas delivery purposes, said camming means being arranged for simultaneous operation.

7. Apparatus for use in gas pressurization and sealing of a refrigerant drier which includes a casing containing desiccant and end caps provided with threaded nipples 7 on which sealing nuts are received for pressure tight sealing engagement with seats formed on the ends of said nipples, said apparatus comprising a block-like housing detachably mounted on a gas delivery pipe in association along one side thereof with a lever operated control valve mounted in said pipe and controlling gas delivery therefrom, the side of said housing opposite said one side being provided with a projecting rib-like portion the bottom surface of which overhangs said op posite side, a recess in said projecting portion defined by surfaces which conform to the configuration of a sealing nut to rotationally fix the same upon receiving a nut therein, the bottom portion of said recess being open and coinciding with the bottom surface of said projecting portion, the top portion of said recess being in communication with a slot in which is received a resilient cushion provided with an opening for alignment with a corresponding opening in a sealing nut and which further is in communication with said pipe through a delivery pipe portion received in the upper surface of said projecting portion, and camming means on each side of said housing in operative alignment with the lever of said control valve to deliver gas into said recess and with the open bottom portion of said recess to urge a nut into resilient sealing engagement with said cushion to provide a seal around the aligned openings thereof for gas delivery purposes, said camming means being arranged for simultaneous operation.

8. Apparatus for use in gas pressurization and sealing of a refrigerant drier which includes a casing containing desiccant and end caps provided with threaded nipples on which sealing nuts are received for pressure tight sealing engagement with seats formed on the ends of said nipples, said apparatus including a block-like housing detachably mounted on a gas delivery pipe in association along one side thereof with a lever operated control valve mounted in said pipe and controlling gas delivery therefrom, the side of said housing opposite said one side being provided with a projecting rib-like portion the bottom surface of which overhangs said opposite side, a recess in said projecting portion defined by surfaces which conform to the configuration of a sealing nut to rotationally fix the same upon receiving a nut therein, the bottom portion of said recess being open and coinciding with the bottom surface of said projecting portion, the top portion of said recess being in communication with a resilient cushion provided with an opening for alignment with a corresponding opening in a sealing nut and which further is in communication with said pipe through a delivery line portion received in the upper surface of said projecting portion, a rotatable shaft extending transversely through said housing and mounting a lever thereon at the end associated with said one side, a lever operating cam on said shaft and operatively aligned with the lever of said control valve to deliver gas into said recess upon rotation of said shaft, and a nut clamping cam on the opposite end of said shaft associated with said opposite side of said housing below said projecting portion and aligned with the open bottom portion of said recess to urge a nut into resilient sealing engagement with said cushion to provide a seal around the aligned openings thereof for gas delivery purposes, said cams being mounted on said shaft for simultaneous operation.

9. Apparatus for use in gas pressurization and sealing of a refrigerant drier which includes a casing containing desiccant and end caps provided with threaded nipples on which sealing nuts are received for pressure tight sealing engagement with seats formed on the ends of said nipples, said apparatus comprising a block-like housing detachably mounted on a gas delivery pipe in association along one side thereof with a lever operated control valve mounted in said pipe and controlling gas delivery therefrom, the side of said housing opposite said one side being provided with a projecting rib-like portion the bottom surface of which overhangs said opposite side, a recess in said projecting portion defined by surfaces which conform to the configuration of a sealing nut to rotationally fix the same upon receiving a nut therein, the bottom portion of said recess being open and coinciding with the bottom surface of said projecting portion, the top portion of said recess being in communication with a slot in which is received a resilient cushion provided with an opening for alignment for a corresponding opening in a sealing nut and which further is in communication with said pipe through a delivery line portion received in the upper surface of said projecting portion, a rotatable shaft extending transversely through 'said housing and mounting a lever thereon at the end associated with said one side, a lever operating cam on said shaft and operatively aligned with the lever of said control valve to deliver gas into said recess upon rotation of said shaft, and a nut clamping cam on the opposite end of said shaft associated with said opposite side of said housing below said projecting portion and aligned with the open bottom portion of said recess to urge a nut into resilient sealing engagement with said cushion to provide a seal around the aligned openings thereof for gas delivery purposes, said cams being mounted on said shaft for simultaneous operation.

10. The method of pressurizing an article including in its assembly a threadedly attached end sealing means provided with a gas delivery opening therethrough which is in communication with the interior of said article in a loosened condition and which is sealed from communication with the interior of said article in a tightened condition, said method comprising inserting said sealing means in its loosened condition in an enclosure which prevents rotation of said means therein, clamping the opening of said sealing means in sealed communication with gas delivery means, pressurizing said article with gas, and rotating said article to advance said sealing means into its tightened condition to trap gas in'said article prior to withdrawal of said sealing means from said enclosure and out of scaled communication with said gas delivery means.

11. The method of pressurizing an article including in its assembly a threadedly attached end sealing means provided with a gas delivery opening therethrough which is in communication with the interior of said article in a loosened condition andwhich is sealed from communication with the interior of said article in a tightened condition, said method comprising inserting said sealing means in its loosened condition in an enclosure which prevents rotation of said means therein, clamping the opening of said sealing means in sealed communication with gas delivery means, pressuiizing said article with gas, and rotating said article to advance said sealing means into its tightened condition to trap gas in said article prior to withdrawal of said sealing means from said enclosure and while retaining gas delivery communication between said gas delivery means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,189,852 Yejeski Feb. 13, 1940 2,383,522 Thorns Aug. 28, 1945 2,505,439 Suellentrop Apr. 25, 1950 

